State of Origin III – insights

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Toyota Cowboys Johnathan Thurston and James Tamou are in camp with their respective State of Origin teams this week, but they haven’t been out of the news.

Here’s some insights that have been in the media from our Queensland and New South Wales representatives.

JOHNATHAN THURSTON

“Hayne has had me in his sights – he did the same thing with Parramatta – and if I am being honest, I probably haven’t handled some of what has been thrown at me as well as I would have liked,” JT told The Australian.

“I think times like these can really define your career: if you don’t want to take some hard truths on board and look to address those areas you are as good as finished.

“But I am certainly not doing that. I still believe my best football is in front of me.

“I am physically in as good a shape as ever. The body feels good, but I am certainly a lot more mature and understand the game a lot better these days.”

JAMES TAMOU

“Nothing could be better than this feeling, winning a State of Origin series,” Tamou told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“When I think about Origin, I think about all the greats that have played the game and all the stories you hear about the old-school players. I might have a little slice there in State of Origin history ... it's something.

"The win didn't really sink in for me until I saw the likes of Jarryd Hayne with tears coming down his face.

"Some of the other boys were tearing up, too. That's when I looked at that and realised how much of a big deal it was. Until that point I had no idea. But when I saw them tearing up, it was awesome to see that."